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Le subjonctif The indicative mood is used to state facts and to express actions or states that the speaker considers real and definite. In contrast, the subjunctive mood expresses the speaker’s subjective attitudes toward events and actions or states the speaker’s views as uncertain or hypothetical. One way to help remember when to use the subjunctive is with the acronym “WEIRDO + C” W - wants/wishes E - emotions I - impersonal observations/expressions R - recommendations D - doubt O - opinions/obligations + C - conjunctions

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Creating sentences with the subjunctive v. an infinitive Sentences calling for the subjunctive fit the pattern of [main clause] + que + [subordinate clause]. In each case, the subjects of the two clauses are different and que is used to connect the clauses. Note that although the word that is optional in English, the word que cannot be omitted in French. If there is no change of subject in the sentence, an infinitive is used after the main verb and que is omitted. Add de before the infinitive after expressions with être. ex. Je désire partir samedi. Je suis content de pouvoir revenir. Il est essentiel d’arrêter

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The indicative, not the subjunctive, is used in a subordinate clause when the main clause expresses certainty. When the following expressions are put into a negative form, it expresses doubt or uncertainty, which triggers the subjunctive. When used as an affirmative question, these expressions also express uncertainty, which triggers the subjunctive. Expressions of Certainty = INDICATIF croire que…to believe that…penser que…to think that… savoir que…to know that…Il est certain que… it is certain that… Il est clair que…it is clear that…Il est évident que… it is evident that… Il est sûr que…it is sure that…Il est vrai que…it is true that…

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Opinions/obligations See wants/wishes, recommendations, and doubt ***** Even though the verb “espérer” expresses a wish/desire, it is not followed by the subjunctive in an affirmative statement. ***** Like “ésperer”, “penser” and “croire” are followed by the indicative in the subordinate clause unless used in the negative or in question form, which implies doubt.

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Conjunctions cont. ***** There is a small group of conjunctions that are not followed by the subjunctive. Some of these conjunctions are: parce que, puisque, car, comme, quand, si, and après que. ***** The expressions à moins que, de peur que, de crainte que, sans que, and avant que are often accompanied by the ne explétif. The word ne is placed before the subjunctive form of the verb. The ne is not a negation, and adds no meaning to the statement. The ne explétif (also called the pleonastic ne) is used less and less in spoken French, and is generally used in more formal speech and writing. ex. Les élèves arrivent avant que le professeur ne commence son cours. J’ai eu peur que tu ne te fasses pas mal.

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Demonstrative pronouns The demonstrative pronoun celui and its forms means this one/that one/the one or these/those/the ones. Use them for pointing something out or indicating preference. Demonstrative pronouns typically refer to a previously-mentioned noun in a sentence because they cannot be used alone. They are always followed by: a –ci or là, a relative clause, or a prepositional phrase. Quel gâteau préférez-vous? Le gâteau au chocolat ou le gâteau aux cerises? Which cake do you prefer? The chocolate cake or the cherry cake? Quel gâteau préférez-vous? Celui au chocolat ou celui aux cerises? Which cake do you prefer? The chocolate one or the cherry one?

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Demonstrative pronouns Demonstrative pronouns agree in number and gender with the noun to which they refer. How it’s formed: ce + lui, ce + elle… SingularPlural Masculinecelui: this one; that one; the one ceux: these; those; the ones Femininecelle: this one; that one; the one celles: these; those; the ones

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Demonstrative pronouns As with demonstrative adjectives, -ci and là can be added after a form of celui to distinguish between people or objects that are closer (celle-ci) or farther (celui-là). Demonstrative pronouns cannot be used alone. They are always followed by a –ci or là, a relative clause, or a prepositional phrase

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Demonstrative pronouns A form of celui can also be followed by a relative clause to mean the one(s) that or the one(s) whose. On va à cet hypermarché-ci ou à celui qui ouvre plus tôt? Are we going to this supermarket here or the one that opens earlier? La pâtisserie Michèle, c’est celle que tu aimes bien? Is the Michèle pastry shop the one you like? Ces enfants sont ceux dont l’arrière-grand-père est né en These children are the ones whose great-grandfather was born in A prepositional phrase can also follow a demonstrative pronoun. Mes livres et ceux de Nathalie sont dans notre chambre. My books and those of Nathalie are in our bedroom. Cette jupe en coton est moins chère que celle en soie. This cotton skirt is less expensive than the silk one.

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Demonstrative pronouns Adjectives that modify forms of celui must agree with them in number and gender. Past participles should agree with forms of celui when appropriate. Ceux qui sont beaux ne sont ps toujours sympathiques. Those that are beautiful are not always nice. Les sœurs sont celles que nous avons vues ici hier? Are their sisters the ones we saw here yesterday? You can use celui-là or celle-là to refer to someone in a familiar or scornful fashion. Le petit ami de Samira? Ah, celui-là! Samira’s boyfriend? Oh, that one! Elle croit qu’elle sait tout, celle-là? Does she think she knows it all, that one?

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Demonstrative pronouns Demonstrative pronouns agree in number and gender with the noun to which they refer. How it’s formed: ce + lui, ce + elle… SingularPlural Masculinecelui: this one; that one; the one ceux: these; those; the ones Femininecelle: this one; that one; the one celles: these; those; the ones

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Demonstrative pronouns Ceci and cela are also demonstrative pronouns. Unlike other pronouns, they do not refer to any noun in particular, but rather to an idea. Ceci draws attention to something that is about to be said; cela refers to something that has already been said. Je vous dis ceci: il ne faut rien regretter. I say this to you; you must not regret anything. On évite les préjugés. Cela va sans dire. We avoid prejudices. That goes without saying. Ceci and cela do not have gender and number forms because they do not refer to any specific noun. So, in contrast to celui and its forms, ceci and cela are condsidered invariable (or indefinite) demonstrative pronouns.

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Demonstrative pronouns Both ceci and cela have a literary tone to them. In everyday French, use ce or ça. Use ce before forms of être; use ça before other verbs. Before a form of être beginning with a consonant Ce sont mes enfants, Abdel et Fatih. Those/They are my children, Abdel et Fatih. Before a form of être beginning with a vowel C’est du saumon grillé? Is that grilled salmon? Before any other verbÇa m’énerve! That annoys me!

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C’est – c’est can be used in many constructions C’est + name Identifies a person C’est Ségolène. That/She is Ségolène. C’est + article or adjective + noun Identifies a person or thing C’est mon arrière-grand-mère. That/She is my great-grandmother. C’est + disjunctive pronoun Identifies a person C’est toi qui as trouvé ce chat? Are you the one that found this cat? C’est + adjective Describes an idea or expresses an opinion Trois semains de vacances! C’est super! Three weeks of vacation! That’s great! Infinitive + c’est + infinitive Draws an equivalency between two actions Partir, c’est mourir un peu. To leave is to die a little.